美国专利侵权惩罚性赔偿制度及其启示*

Research on the punitive damages award system of patent infringements in U.S. and Implications

摘要:

美国专利法规定了惩罚性赔偿,是为了加大对故意侵权人的惩罚力度,遏制专利侵权行为。但是,惩罚性赔偿也可能因为过度赔偿而激励诉讼,减损专利公开功能,进而阻碍技术创新。近年来,美国不仅提高了“故意侵权”的认定标准,而且司法实践中惩罚性赔偿适用比例和数额呈下降趋势。我国应该首先借鉴美国的完全赔偿原则,而非惩罚性赔偿。

Abstract:

The punitive compensation in U.S is to enhance the punishment to willful infringer and hinder patent infringement activities. Although having punitive and hindering functions, the punitive compensation also can offer excessive compensation and reduce the function of patent disclosure. We should pay attention to the standard of regarding “willful infringement” and the tendency of reducing punitive compensation application in U.S. Above all we should adopt the principle of full compensation rather than the system of punitive compensation.